Monique Samuels Returning to Real Housewives of Potomac for Season 10

Monique Samuels is stepping back into the Bravo spotlight — and she’s doing it on her own terms.

The former Real Housewives of Potomac star, who exited the franchise in 2020 following an unforgettable and controversial season, is officially returning for Season 10. PEOPLE confirms that production is already underway in Maryland, and Monique will rejoin the cast in a “Friend of the Housewives” capacity.

Returning alongside her are last season’s stars: Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Dr. Wendy Osefo, Keiarna Stewart, and Stacey Rusch — setting the stage for what promises to be a dynamic and drama-filled season.

Monique’s comeback arrives at a transformative time in her personal life. The 41-year-old entrepreneur and founder of Mila Eve Essentials finalized her divorce from former NFL star Chris Samuels in September 2023 after 11 years of marriage. The two share three children: sons Christopher, 12, and Chase, 6, and daughter Milani, 9.

“Monique’s in a totally different place now, and fans will see that,” a source tells PEOPLE. “She’s excited to show who she is now — not as a wife, not just as a mom, but as a woman starting over and taking on life on her own terms.”

Monique first burst onto the RHOP scene in Season 2 back in 2017. She quickly earned fan-favorite status thanks to her quick wit, lavish lifestyle, and strong sense of self. However, her time on the show wasn’t without controversy. By Season 5, her feud with costar Candiace Dillard Bassett escalated into a shocking physical altercation that made headlines and divided Bravo fans.

Following the fallout from that incident, Monique made the decision to walk away from the show — a choice she said was made to protect her peace and her family. “It was a crazy ride. It’s not easy doing reality TV,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “When you cross certain lines, there’s no going back. And for me, my family is that line.”

In the years since, Monique has focused on her kids and building her business empire. In 2022, she dipped her toe back into reality TV on OWN’s Love & Marriage: DC alongside Chris, but the couple’s relationship ultimately came to an end in 2023.

“I just got to the point where I was in a place where I was so miserable,” Monique shared in an emotional interview. “I am no longer the person that I was when I walked down that aisle 11 years ago… Staying together for the kids never works, because staying together for the kids means that you’re giving them a terrible example of what a relationship should be like.”

With Season 10 of The Real Housewives of Potomac expected to air later this year, fans will get a chance to see Monique in a whole new light — not just revisiting the past, but boldly stepping into her future.